Broken Streaks

Photo: NASCAR.com

It's hard to believe either of these guys went over three seasons without a single victory.

Ryan Newman stole the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway this afternoon, inheriting the lead after choosing to stay out of the pits after a late-race caution and holding off Kyle Larson for the win. It was Newman's first victory in 127 races, his last win coming at Indianapolis in 2013.

Richard Childress, Newman's team owner, also won his first Cup race in quite a while. The last time Richard Childress Racing won a Cup race was, ironically, at Phoenix, also in 2013, with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel.

While Newman and Childress were the feel-good stories of the day, one has to feel for Larson. The fourth-year driver recorded his third consecutive second-place finish and fourth in the last five races.